Disconnect switch



March 30, 1954 G. E. HEBERLEIN DISCONNECT SWITCH 7 shets-sheet 1 FiledFeb. 2l, 1950 INVENTOR.

605m VE E. HEBER/ E/N March 30, 1954 G. E. HEBERLEIN DISCONNECT SWITCH 7Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 l IN1/EN TOR. 6057A VE E: HEBEEL E//VMarch 30, 1954 G. E. HEBERLl-:IN

` DISCONNECT SWITCH 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 21 1950 IN V EN TOR.

.GUSTVE E .HEBER/.E /N

March 30, 1954 G. E. HEBERLEIN DIscoNNEcT swITcH 7 Shee'bs-Sheet 4 FiledFeb. 2l, 1950 w, QQUNLbwS R. W E ml w# v ImIJINlnnIII m e 0 eww W M W IM owmx om NW. Nu NN NwNmwNn E Mm mmm m .hv vm m s :wam W Y 9m-m` h B .WKWN.. NH v8 M hb: www du Bw NIR wvm .ww mw.. RwvwN .D NJW Nl Hm n March30, 1954 G. E. HEBERLEIN 2,673,902

` DIscoNNEcT SWITCH Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.GUSTAVE E. HEBEELE/N @Mr-M March 30, 1954 G. E. HEBERLEIN DISCONNECTSWITCH Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 21, 1950 lNvENToR ausTAVE EHEBEELE/NATTORNEYS March 30, 1954 G. E. HEBERLEIN DISCONNECT SWITCH 7Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 .MNUIHT Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITEDSTATES @ATENT OFFICE DISCONNECT SWITCH Gustave E. Heberlein, Jeannette,

Pa., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 21, 1950, serialNo. 145,389

(Cl. o-48) 44 claims. l

on three insulators, one carrying the stationary.

contact, the second carrying the movable contact arm assembly, and thethird carrying the operating crank or assembly for the movable contactarm.

The movable contact arm was arranged so it might rotate angularly from aposition substantially 90 or more away from its contacting position to aposition where it engages the stationary contact.

The movable contact arm was also arranged so that after its contactcarrying end entered the stationary contact the movable contact arm wasrotated into high pressure engagement. In most prior constructions, itwas thought necessary that a current carrying connection be establishedfrom one terminal of the disconnect switch directly to the contact arm;and since at least two separate motions were required to establishcontact, it was thought that a exible connection permitting the rotationof the movable contact in two planes was essential to ensure that a goodcurrent carrying connection would at all times be made from the terminalto the movable contact arm.

Where the pigtail or other flexible unit from the terminal to therotatable contact arm was properly weatherprooied and otherwiseprotected, these flexible connections have proved highly efficient.Where, however, the weatherprooiing was incompletely done or unusualWeather or other operating conditions prevailed, it sometimes happenedthat the flexible connection tended to crystallize and break.

Various attempts have been made to obviate the need for the flexibleconnection by making some type of direct contact between an element ofthe terminal and an element of the contact arm. For the most part, suchattempts have been substantially limited to constructions wherein themovable contact arm was made as a bridge arm so that the terminal.extending to the source' olf electric current was directly con nectedto a stationary contact and the terminal to the load was also directlyconnected to a stationary contact.

The movable contact arm was then swung in the manner shown in theKoppitz Patent No. 1,793,177 from its open position to a position whereit entered into the jaws of both stationary contacts and then also wastwisted or rotated to obtain high pressure engagement in the jaws.

While this was a useful type of construction, the two sets of contactjaws created alignment difficulties and doubled the operating effortunder normal conditions, as well as under icing orother weather andcorrosion conditions.

While appropriate compensation could be made for the increased operatingeffort under normal conditions, the double number of contact membersincreased the possibility of failure under emergency or other unusualconditions and also multiplied maintenance requirements.

Various other attempts have been made to provide for sliding contacts inplace of flexible connections at the pivot point of the contact arm. Inall of these cases, either the sliding contact was exposed to theatmosphere and subjected to weathering or other corroding elements orthe angle of movement of the contact element was such that the contactend became cumbersome in use or size, diicult in manufacture, orinemcient in current carrying capacity.

As a matter of fact, in many such cases, it has been found that thecurrent carrying capacity at the contact after a period of use was solow that appreciable current actually passed through hinge connectionsor crank connections which operated the contact and which were notdesigned to carry current, resulting in a serious reduction in currentcarrying capacity and, in some cases, actual destruction of the hinge orcrank elements.

The present invention has for its primary object the provision ofsimplified current carrying elements between a terminal and a movingcontact arm of a disconnect switch wherein the need for iiexibleconnecting elements is obviated.

Another object of this invention is the construction of the hinge of adisconnect contact arm in such manner that the hinge becomes aneiiicient current conducting member.

Another object of this present invention is the provision of springloaded threaded hinge pins for the disconnect contact arm so arrangedthat the current may eiciently be carried through the hinge pins to thedisconnect contact arm.

Another object ofthis invention is in a dis-` connect switch having anangularly rotatable contact arm which is also rotatable on itslongitudinal axis, the provision of a current carrying contactconnection between the contact arm and the support cn which it rotatesangularly and an additional current carrying contact connection betweenthe portion of the contact arm which rotates on its longitudinal axisand the remainder of the contact arm.

Another object of this present invention is the weatherprooing andprotection of the aforesaid current carrying contact connectionsparticularly by mounting them within interior elements of the contactarm.

Another object is the placement of said current carrying connections ina sealed corrosionproof housing which also contains a corrosionpreventing and inhibiting material.

Where the contact arm of a disconnect switch is rotated angularly toenter the stationary contact `iaws and then on its longitudinal axisinto high pressure engagement with the contact jaws, it becomesimportant that the maximum force be available for this latter rotationon the longitudinal axis, since that is the portion of the operation ofthe contact arm wherein current carrying engagement is made.

In such contact arms, there are usually provided a base or principalmember which is hingedly mounted for angular rotation. The section whichis rotatable on its longitudinal axis has often been mounted through anextension of this principal portion. This outside mounting has not onlytended to increase the susceptibility or" the contact arm to weatheringand other corrosive forces which might tend to make it bind or stronglyresist rotation about the longitudinal axis, but also this outsidemounting of the contact engaging section brings the relatively rotatableparts further out from the axis of rotation.

Thus, the crank arm which rotated the blade portion of the contact armwhich in turn rotated on its longitudinal axis was required to overcomethe greater leverage of the corrosive forces or ice accumulation whichtended to bind the contact arm at a point relatively remote from theaxis of rotation.

Another and important object of this invention, therefore, is to mountthe blade portion of the contact arm which is rotatable on its longittudinal axis inside an extension of the hinge cr angularly rotatableportion of the Contact arm, thereby achieving two distinct advantages:(l) the protection and weather-proofing of the current carrying elementsor contacts between the blade portion and the hinge member, and (2)bringing the relatively rotatable parts closer to the center of rotationon the longitudinal axis so that whatever weathering or other corrosiveforces might tend to bind these elements against rotation would exerttheir eiiect at a point closer to the axis of rotation and hence on ashorter lever arm-by this means giving the driving crank arm a morepowerful leverage.

In the construction and operation of prior disconnect switches, a singleoperating crank has been utilized through a link to perform theoperations of rotating the contact arm angularly and then rotating aportion thereof about its longitudinal axis after the end of the contactarm has entered between the jaws of the stationary contact. See PatentNo. 2,328,283 issued August 3l, 1943.

This has made necessary the utilization of some type of cam connectionlwhich for the most part included a pin and slot connection between themain operating crank and the link which was connected to the contactarm. This in turn permitted play in the contact arm and made necessarythe utilization of a stop member at the end of the closing movement ofthe contact arm to ensure that the operating crank could no longer movethe arm angularly and must thereafter on continued rotation rotate thecontact arm on its longitudinal axis.

This, as above pointed out, was a necessary result of the loosemechanical connection.

Another and important object of the present invention is the provisionof a novel connection between the main operating crank and the linkconnected to the contact arm whereby a rotatable threaded member is madea portion of the connection.

The said threaded member permits relative rotation between the link andthe crank. The

threaded member has a reverse thread at an appropriate pitch so that therotation thereof with respect to the link owing to the translatorymovement of the crank and the link will result in the threaded memberentering or moving out of the element with which it is engaged to adegree necessary to compensate for or achieve the required changes inlink length to permit the operation to occur.

In the construction and operation of disconnect switches the contactarm, as above pointed out, consists of two parts: (l) the basicangularly rotatable hinge casting and (2) the blade portion of thecontact arm which is mounted for rotation around its longitudinal axison the hinge casting.

An obiect of this invention, as above pointed out, is the provision of anovel weather-proof efficient contact connection between the bladeportion of the arm and the hinge casting and an efficient weather-proofcurrent carrying connection from the hinge to the terminal.

In addition, it is necessary to lock the blade portion of the contactarm to the hinge.

An object of the present invention is the provision of novel means forsecuring the blade section of the movable contact arm to the hinge sothat it may rotate with respect thereto while having only apredetermined longitudinal movement whatever with respect to the hingecasting.

Another object of my invention is so to arrange the various elements ofmy structure that manufacturing and assembly operations will be greatlysimplified facilitating the full utilization of mass production methods.

A further and corollary obi ect of my invention is the arrangement andcombination of parts and elements and the simplification of operation tothe end that a minimum number of parts are required to construct mynovel switch.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of spring loadedcontacts at the hinge of the switch blade and between the switch bladeand the hinge structure so arranged that the contacts are always inengagement, thereby simplifying the provision of means for excludingforeign matter from the contacts and thereby preventing corrosion.

A further object of my invention directed also to the simplication ofmanufacturing procedures is the arrangement of the foregoing contactstructures so that they are relatively insensitive to variations inassembly technique while nevertheless they may have at all times andunder all circumstances ample capacity for short time overloads.

Another object of my invention is the placement .of the foregoingcontacts in a sealed corrosion proof housing adapted to retain acorrosion inhibitor, which housing may nevertheless be readilydisassembled for inspection and, if required, replacement of either thecontacts or the corrosion inhibitor.

Another object of my invention is the arrangement of the foregoingcontacts so that drive pins, bearings and cranks may be isolated fromthe electrical circuit thereby protecting them from possible burning anddamage during fault conditions under which the traversing of shunt pathsby heavy overload currents may weld or destroy pins and bearings andinterfere with or prevent the operation of the switch.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of novelcounterbalancing means for the movable contact arm so arranged that thesame counterbalancing element may be used irrespective of the plane ofsupport of the switch. This is made possible by the omission of thepigtail.

The foregoing and many other objects of the invention will becomeapparent in the following description and drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the disconnect switch of the presentinvention in closed position, the switch being arranged as an uprightdisconnect switch.

Figure 2 is an end view taken from line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing thestationary contact arrangement of the disconnect switch of Figure 1.

VFigure 3 is a view taken from line 3 3 of Figure 1 looking in thedirection of the arrows showing the base support and lower operatingmember for the disconnect switch of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken from line 4 4 of Figure llookingv in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a top view of the disconnect switch of Figure 1 showing theclosed position of the contacts.

Figure 6 is a top view of the switch of Figures 1 and 5 showing the openpositions of the contacts.

Figure 7 is a top view of the switch of Figures 1, 5 and 6 showing theposition of the elements after the movable contact has entered thestationary f contact and has just started to rotate into high contactpressure.

Figure 8 is a view corresponding substantially to that of Figure 1showing, however, the mounting of the disconnect switch in invertedposition and illustrating the operation of the counterbalancingmechanism.

Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 1 showing the mounting of the switch inupright position and the arrangement of the counterbalancing mechamsm.

- Figure l0 corresponds to Figure l showing, however, the mounting ofthe switch as a vertical switch and the corresponding arrangement of thecounterbalancing arrangement.

Figure 11 is a view in partly vertical section correspondingsubstantially to the View oi Figure 1 showing the switch in openposition illustrating the operation oi the counterbalancing mechanismand showing particularly the conright hand portion of Figure 11 showinganother g."

view of the connection between the portion of the switch arm which isrotatable on its longitudinal axis and the hinge.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view through the hinge taken on lineiii-I3 of Figure 11 looking in the direction of the arrows and showingthe current carrying connection between the hinge casting and theterminal extension.

Figure 13A is a schematic cross-section showing the contact engagementachieved by the threaded hinge of Figure 13.

.Figure 13B is a schematic view of an annular contact showing thesimilarity in principle between the threaded hinge contact of Figure 13and the annular contact.

Figure 14 is a view taken from line |4--l4 of Figure 11 looking in thedirection of the arrows and showing a portion of the frame and terminal.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary enlarged top View of the crank and linkmechanism for operating the contact arm, the said view corresponding tothe elements of Figure 6.

Figure 16 is a top view of the elements of Figure 15 showing thecondition after the contact arm has entered the stationary contact jawsbut has not been rotated to closed position and corresponds to theelements shown in Figure 7.

Figure 17 is a top view of the elements shown in Figures l5 and 16 withthe switch in fully closed condition. the elements corresponding to theposition of Figure 5.

Figure 18 is a top View of the threaded adjustable connector between thecrank and link of Figures l5 to 17.

Figure 19 is a side view of the threaded adjustable connector of Figure18.

Figure 20 is a top view of the link of Figures 15 to 17. y

Figure 21 is a side view of the link of Figures 15 to 17.

Figure 22 is an expanded view of the hinge pin assembly utilized inconnection with the construction of Figure 13.

Referring iirst to Figure l, the disconnect switch Ill is mounted on thebase Il which is a suitable longitudinal structural support, in thiscase shown horizontally arranged for a horizontally or upright mounteddisconnect switch.

The base l I has secured thereto in any suitable manner as by theinsulator spacers l2 and I3 the stationary upright supporting posts M,i5 on the upper portions of which are mounted insulators i6, I1.

Base I l is also provided with the bearing 20 appropriately securedthereto in any suitable manner as by the bolts 2i and carrying therotatable vertioal shaft 22 to the upper end of which is keyed theinsulator 23 for rotation with the Vertical shaft or post 2'2.

Below insulator 23 there is keyed to the shaft 22 the crank 3i! securedthereto in any suitable manner as by the bolts 3i connected to the angeor crank plate 32. Bolts 2| which secure the bearing 20 in position alsosecure the stop plate 3d in position, the stop plate being provided atopposite ends with the adjustable stops 36, 3l which engage at eitherend with the stop 38 on the operating crank 39.

While stops 35, 3l are herein provided, the construction and operationof my novel switch is such that it may operate properly without thestops at individual poles; in such case, the stops would be provided atthe operating means for the entire switch. f L

Where stops. are eliminated at-all points, then the switch `may beoperated by crank to close and then open by a single continuous'movementin one direction to establish a contact momentarily and then break it.

Shaft 22a extends above the insulator 23 as effectively a continuationof vertical shaft 22, being, however, spaced therefrom by insulator 23.Crank 49 at the upper end of shaft 22a is preferably integral therewithand, therefore, rotates therewith.

Crank 40 extends horizontally or at least parallel with the basesupporting structure H and rotates in the horizontal plane. Crank 40 isshown herein as tubular although it may have any desired cross-sectionconsistent with the rnechanical loads imposed thereon. The outer end ofcrank 40 is fiattened at 4I and is provided with av circular opening 42through which pin 43 may pass.

A clevis member 44, see also Figure 9, receives extension el, the saidclevis 44 being provided at its opposite legs 45, i153 with openings 41,d8 hereinafter more speciiically described in connection with Figures 15to 19, the said openings registering with opening ft2 in extension 4| ofthe crank dil and receiving the pin 43.

Clevis 44 is integral with the threaded exten sion `which enters intothe tapped opening 5l in the forked link 52; 53 is so arranged that asthe threaded extension 50 rotates with respect to the forked link iii!land its tapped opening 5 l, it has linear movement with respect thereto.

Forked link 52 as shown in Figures 5, 6, and '7,

and especially Figures 20 and 21 has two legs 53, 54 at the end oppositethe tapped opening 5l, the said legs 53 and 54 terminating in bearings56, 51 having openings 58, 53 registering with a through opening-(see'also Figures 12 and 13) in the blade crank Gi which is integralwith the rotatableblade support sleeve casting 52.

Pin a passes through openings 58, 53, and (if) hinging the forked link52 to the crank Gi. Where desirable insulating bushings Geb (see Figure4) mayserve as bearings and to effectively electrically insulate crank5I from pin ici and its forked link 52. The blade support sleeve casting52 carries the tubular switch blade E3 secured therein and rotatabletherewith.

The outer end of the tubular'switch blade is flattened at 6@ (Figure 1)and is provided with appropriate contacts G5 engageable withthe'stationary contact jaws E6. v

The blade support sleeve casting 62 is mounted for rotation around itslongitudinal axis on an extension of the hinge casting lil in the mannerhereinafter described particularly in connection with Figures 12 and 13.The hinge casting 10 is in turn rotatably mounted by the hinge bearingsindicated generally at 12 on the forked frame casting-13 in the manner.hereinaftermore specii'lcally described in connection with Figure 13.

The frame casting 13 has a horizontal section 14 secured in any suitablemanner as by the bolts 15 to the top of insulator I6. The sides 15 ofthe frame provide supports for the hinge bearings 12 forming the members15a, 15b. Sides 1S extend back to the solid portion 11 which is providedwith an opening 18 (Figures 5, 6, 7, 11 and 14) appropriately recessedto form a bearing for crank 49 and its shaft 22a.

The solid portion 11 of the base casting 62 then extends beyond to formthe terminal 60 to which appropriate leads may be connected.

Thel threaded extension The stationary contact i66 `comprises -the plu-rrality of contact blades 90, 9| on each side biased toward each other bythe spring support members 52, 93 and so arrangedthat when the blade Q5enters at an angle to the horizontal position during the closingoperation itv will clear the blades on each side.

These contact members are so arranged, however, that when the blade isrotated from the position of Figure 'l to the position of Figures 1, 2,and 5, the blade 65 in turning to the horizontal position will spreadthe contacts 90 and 9| on each side against the tension of springs 92and 93 creating the desired contact pressure.

The spring blades 92, 93 are current conducting and are connected in anysuitable manner as by the bolts 98 to the base plate 99, which in turnis mounted in any suitable manner as by bolts IBB at the top ofinsulator 1I.

The base 99 of stationary contact structure 66 has an extension |91which serves as a terminal block or connecting member. Thus, when thedisconnect switch is in the closed position of Figures 1 and 5, currententers through terminal 8B, passes through the frame casting 13 to thehinge bearings 12, then through the current carrying connection in thehinge bearing 12, hereinafter described in connection with Figure 13, tothe hinge casting 10, then through the current carrying connectionhereinafter described in connection with Figures 11 and 12, from thehinge casting 10 to the contact blade 63, then through the contact 65 onthe contact blade 63 to the stationary contact elements 90, 9|, and thenthrough the base 99 to the terminal extension IUI.

The present invention is directed to a combination of elements whichsucceed in providing simplified and improved current carryingconnections from frame casting 13 to the blade 53 which improve themechanical operation and prevent weather or corrosive forces fromaffecting the successful operation.

Generally, the invention herein may be treated as relating to:

I. The current carrying connection at the hinge between the frame andthe moving blade assembly.

II. The current carrying connection between the hinge casting (theprincipal angularly rotatable portion of the blade assembly) and theblade itself to carry current from the hinge casting to the blade whilethe blade may nevertheless rotate on its longitudinal axis.

III. The mechanical connection between the hinge casting, the bladesupport sleeve and the blade itself to permit rotation of the blade onits longitudinal axis.

IV. The mechanical operating elements including especially theconnection between the upper operating crank and the link which turnsthe blade crank on the contact arm assembly.

V. The counter-balancing structure.

VI. The weather-proofing and corrosion resistant protection for thecurrent carrying elements of the hinge and blade assembly.

VII. The construction and operation of the stationary contact member.

I. The current carrying connection at the hinge between the frame andthe moving blade assembly The current carrying connection between frame1,3 and the hinge casting 1li which; is the angu 9 larly movable portionof the contact arm assembly at the hinge bearings 12 is illustratedspecically in Figures 13 and 22, the hinge casting being also shown ingreater detail in Figures 11 and 12. Sides 16 of frame 13 have openings|50, |5| for bearings 12.

The hinge casting 10 (Figure 13) comprises the main reinforced supportsection |52 provided with openings or wells |53 and |54 on oppositesides registering, respectively, with openings |50 and |5| of the framecasting. Section |52 of casting 10 also has rearwardly directedextensions |60 hereinafter more specifically described in connectionwith the counterbalancing mechanism of Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Each of the openings |53 and |54 has a smooth bore section |10 with aclosed end |1|, a tapped section |12, and an annular recess |13 in thesmooth bore section |14 extending from the tapped section |12 to theoutside.

A compression spring |15 is rst dropped into the opening |54 or |53 tocome to rest at the bottom |1| theerof. A bearing washer |16 is thenplaced on the spring and the hollow threaded hinge and contact pin 80having the external threads |8| is screwed in to be engaged with thethreads |12 of the opening.

Preferably, washers |10 are of insulating material to electricallyinsulate springs 15 from hinge pins |80. They also serve to transmitspring thrust between pins |80 and ends |1| of openings |53, |54 ofcasting |52.

Before the pin 80 is screwed in, an appropriate gasket or otherweather-proofing means is placed in the annular recess |13. Wheredesired, the annular gasket recess may be in the contact pin at theregion at which recess |13 is here shown, thereby obviating the need fora recessing operation. Thehinge pin |80 is screwed in on each side untilits exterior sur-A face |82 is ush with the side of the base member 13on each side, thereby compressing the spring |15 so that the threads |8|of the pin |80 are in close current carrying engagement on one side withthe threads |12 of opening |53 or |54 as the case may be. See Figure 13Awhich shows the type of current carrying engagement. As compared with awell-known annular contact (Figure 13B) four times the contact area isavailable where four threads are in engagement; hence, the screw contactis more eicient.

The interior hollow portion of pin |80 is substantially circular.Therefore, in order to screw in the pin |80 and also to provide forexpanding frictional securernent means hereinafter described, the outersmooth portion |83 of each pin |80 is provided with a plurality of slots|84. The ends of these slots at surface |82 provide a means by which anappropriate tool may rotate the threaded hinge pins |80 into the ushposition shown in Figure 13.

At this time while the threaded hinge pins |00 are in iiush position andthere is a secure current carrying engagement between the threads |12and the threads |8|, there is yet no secure current carrying connectionbetween the smooth section |03 of the pin |80 and the opening |50 or ofthe frame member 13.

In order to achieve such a current carrying connection, the interior ofeach pin |80 is also threaded at |90 and the pin |80 has a smoothconical bore |9| inside the outer section |83.

A screw |92 is provided at each side, the said screw |92 having athreaded section |93 engaging AFS iiithe interior threaded section ofthe pin |80 and having a conical head adapted to spread the slotted endsection |83 of the hinge pin |80.

The head of screw |32 is appropriately shaped, being provided, forinstance, with the rectangular or hexagonal recess |31 or otherconformation to receive an appropriate tool for rotating the same.

When the screw |02 is rotated into bore |9| of pin |30, the head |05spreads the smooth portion |83 of the pin |80 into rm irictionalengagement with the interior wall of opening |50 or |5| on each side ofthe base member 13.

Thus, with a pin |30 51 in diameter and an opening |50 41" in diameterand 5X1 in depth, the clamping pressure is such that a 3,500 pound forceat the pin was found necessary to move pin |00 out of opening |50 or|5|.

By this means, a rzn current carrying connection is made between the pin|30 on each side and the frame 13.

The side portions 16, 11 of frame 13 are sufficiently flexible orresilient so that as the Contact surfaces at thread |01 of holt |00wear, the springs |15 on each side may drive the bolts |00 secured toportions 13, 11 outwardly by the minute amount necessary to maintaincontact pressure.

When now the hinge casting 10 rotates from the position of Figures 1 and5 te the position of Figures 6 and 1l or back again, the threads |12 inopening |53 and the threads |12 in opening |53 move on the threads |8|of the corresponding pin |80.

Since the pitch is relatively low, the quarter turn or approximately 90rotation of the contact arm results in lateral movement of the hingecasting 10 on the pins |80 on each side by a minute distance equal toone-fourth the distance between adjacent threads of the threadedconnection ISI of pin |80.

With the pitch of the threads |8| of pin |00 l2 per inch, this totallateral movement of the blade and hinge casting is 14g" between the fullopen and full closed position of the switch blade.

The heavy springs |15 bearing between the base 1| of each opening |53and |54 and the ends of the pins |80 drive the threads |12 of openings|53 and |54 into rrn engagement with the outer sides of the threads ISIof pin |80 as seen in Figure 13A, thus creating the effect of multipleannular contacts of the type of Figure 13B as previously described.

By this means, therefore, the need for a iiexible connection isobviated, while, at the same time, a firm continuously engaged currentcarrying connection which permits the free rotation of the contact armassembly between full open and full closed position is provided.

This continuously engaged contact permits the operation of the switch inload break or arcing conditions as the continuously engaged contactswill carry such currents without the need of pigtails, specialintermediate transition contacts or other special by-pass means.

In addition, by the use of appropriate weatherproong gaskets in theannular recess |13 of openings |53 and |50 on Yeach side, fullweatherproong and corrosion resistant protection Vis provided for thecurrent carrying elements which comprise the threads ISI of the pins |80and the threads |12 in openings |53 and |54 of the hinge casting 10.

acvaaoa 1 i II. The current carrying connection between the hingecasting (the principal angularly rotatable portion of the bladeassembly) and the blade itself to carry current ,from the hinge castingto the blade while the blade may nevertheless rotate on its longitudinalaxis The blade section 63 as seen particularly in Figures ll and 12 is atubular metallic member which is extended back inside sleeve 62 whichcarries, the blade crank 6 I. Sleeve 62 is rotatably mounted on conicalextension 265 of the hinge casting 'i6 by the rotatable interengagementof nut 255 of blade 63 with threaded end 266 oi extension 265 of thehinge casting as hereinafter described.

The interior of sleeve 62 is provided with an annular recess 26| at thepoint of engagement of the sleeve 62 with extension 265 of the hingecasting to receive a Weather-proofing gasket.

The primary purpose or the conical extension 265 and its threadedsection 261 will be hereinafter described in connection with thesecurement of the blade 63 within the sleeve 62.

Adjacent the inner end of extension a highly conductive cylindricalcontact section 2 i6 is mounted oi' appropriate contact material andsecured to the conical extension.

The section of the tubular blade 63 within the sleeve 62 is split at2l2, 2l2 to form a plurality of contact ngers. The interior of each ofthe contact iingers 2l6 is provided with a contact button 2i3, 2 I3engaging the contact 2 I6, Viere necessary for adequate contactpressure, a garter spring 215 surrounding the contact fingers 216 at theareas thereof having the Contact buttons 213 drives the contact buttons2l3 into close continuously engaged current carrying engagement with theannular contact ring 216 oi the hinge casting 10.

The sleeve 62 is provided with the annular recess 226 seating the garterspring 2i5 and locating it in position against accidental dispiacement.

It will thus be seen that the Contact blade 63 may readily rotate withrespect to casting i5 while, however, an eiiicent continuously engagedcurrent carrying engagement exists between contact blades 63 and thecasting l.

Thus, the current path from stationary contact 66 to the movable contact65 and contact blade 63 extends through the contact fingers 216, contactbuttons 2l3, the contact ring 216, to the casting 16 and then throughthe hinge contacts 12 to the base member 'I3 to the opposite terminal86.

The necessity for flexible or exterior connections is obviated. Allcurrent carrying connections are completely housed, sealed, andweatherproofed.

The Weather-proofing for the hinge contacts has already been described,and the weatherproong for the current carrying connection between theblade 63 and the hinge casting 'i6 comprises the solid sleeve 62, theweather-prooing gasket in annular recess 26| and the method ofsecurement of the blade 63 to the sleeve 52 at the opposite end whichwill hereinafter be described.

It will be obvious that instead of slitting the sleeve the annularcontact 2H) may be slit and spring biased outwardly against the sleeveor the annular contact 2I0 may be slit and arranged to surround the tube63.

Other modications of the current carrying 12 connection at this pointwill also be hereinafter described.

III. The mechanical connection between the hinge casting, the bladesupport sleeve and the blade itself to permit rotation of the blade onits longitudinal axis It is, of course, essential that the blade 63 beappropriately integrated with the sleeve 62 so that as sleeve I62 isrotated by an appropriate connection hereinafter described to the crank6l, the blade 63 will rotate therewith.

It is also desirable that the method of connection of blade 63 to sleeve62 form the sleeve 62 into a weather-proof housing or container to avoidthe necessity for additional weather-proofing gasketing.

For this purpose, the sleeve 62 is provided with the annular recess 250adjacent its outer end but inwardly of the turned down threadedextension 266 of the conical extension 265 of the hinge casting 10.SeeFigures 1l and 12.

After the blade tube 63 is inserted in sleeve 62, the nut 255 ispositioned therein with the annular extension 2x66 of nut 255 alignedwith recess 250 in sleeve 62. An appropriate tool then flares outannular extension 266 of nut 255 pressing the material 262 of blade tube63 into recess 262 thereby integrating the nut 255, the blade tube 63and the sleeve casting 62. The assembly oi sleeve casting 62 and bladetube 63 may then be rotatably mounted on hinge casting 'I0 by threadingnut 255 on threads 261 of end 206 of conical extension 265 of hingecasting 10. The assembly is turned in until contact buttons 2 I3 engagecontact ring 2 I6 on hinge casting 'l0 and is rotated to a positionwhere crank member 6| is in proper alignment for engagement by link 52.

This means of securement provides a ready means of attachment of blade63 and of removal for replacement or inspection and for examining thecontacts and the replacement of the corrosion inhibiting medium.

The engagement of the bead 262 in recess 250 i of the sleeve causes a rmweather-proof engagement between the blade 63 and the sleeve 62, lockingthe blade not only against longitudinal movement but firmly anchoringthe blade against both rotating and longitudinal movement withrespect'to the sleeve 62.

This locking engagement of the blade with' the sleeve in additioncombines with the gasket in annular recess 26! to form the scaledweatherproof chamber 265 in the interior of the sleeve 62 which is thechamber containing the current carrying connection or contacts,including the buttons 2I3 and the annular contact 210.

IV. The mechanical operating elements including especially theconnection between the upper operating crank and the link,` which turnsthe blade cranlc on the contact arm assembly .The mechanical operatingelements which operate the contact assembly for annular rotation at thebearings 12 and after the contact element 65 has entered the stationarycontact continue on to rotate the blade 63 into appropriate contactpressure are shown in side view in Figure l, but their operation isillustrated more clearly in Figures 5, 6, and 'l which show,respectively, the full closed position, the full open position, and thepartly closedposition where theblade has been rotated for entry into thestationary contact without having been rotated on its longitudinal axisto the closed position of Figure 5.

The relationship of the crank to the linkv at each of the operatingpositions is also demonstrated in Figures 15, 16, and 17 which showthese elem-ents and correspond, respectively, to Figures 6, 7, and 5.

The extensible screw threaded element which permits this operation tooccur and which connects the upper operating crank and link is shown ineach of the aforesaid figures and is shown specically in Figures 18 and19, while the link itself is shown in Figures 20 and 21.

The corresponding operation of the lower operating crank is illustratedschematically in Figure 3.

The basic problem here is to utilize the single operating crank in suchmanner that by a continuous motion it will rst rotate the contactassembly angularly about the bearing 12 and after the end of the blade63 has registered with the stationary contact jaws 66, it will rotatethe blade so that its contact element 55 will be in appropriate highpressure engagement with the stationary contact and will be locked intoclosed position engagement by the past center crank position so that anymagnetic or mechanical or weather forces will tend to drive the parts inthe closing or engaging direction. Movement past center provides forpossible contact engagement over a substantial arc so that the contactswill engage despite minor misalignments caused by wear or other factors.

The successive steps from the open to the closed positionrequired,therefore, that the crank 4B, link 52, and the sleeve crank 6| beconnected in such manner that these various operations may occur.

In this full closed position, the sleeve crank 6| extends substantiallyvertically in the case of an upright mounted switch and, therefore, in aplane which includes the axes of supporting posts I5,

I4, and 22, and insulators I6, and 23.

As the crank 40 on post 22 is rotated with the lower operating crank 30from the position of Figures 5 and 17 toward the position of Figures 7and 16, the end of link 52 adjacent crank 40 rotates laterally with thecrank 40. This results in pulling the sleeve crank 6| laterally orangularly, thereby rotating the sleeve casting 62 around the extension25|). This in turn rotates the blade 63 with the sleeve 62 in order toeifect a rotation of contact 65 out of horizontal position and,therefore, out of pressure engagement with the stationary contact jaws6B.

This is the condition which is reached at Figures 7 and 16. Thereafterfurther rotation of crank from the position of Figures 7 and 16 to theposition of Figures 6 and 15 results in drawing the link 52 bodilytoward the left with respect to Figures 5, 6, and 7, thereby pullingcrank 6| toward the left and lifting the entire contact assemblyangularly around the hinge bearings i2 which act as the rotatablebearing therefor.

The connection between link 52 and sleeve crank 5| has already beendescribed. This connection formed by pin 45 through openings 58 and 55of link 52 and opening 6|) of sleeve crank 6| permits rotation of thelink 52 with respect to the sleeve crank 6| in that plane only whichincludes both the axis of the link 52 and the axis of blade 53.

However, the connection between the crank 4B and link 52 must be such asto permit rotation in two planes. In addition, since the link 52 rstrotates with sleeve crank 6| and sleeve 62 14 about the stationarybearing 20|! while crank 40 is rotated in a horizontal plane to move theswitch to its upright position, there must not only be a connectionbetween the crank 40 and link 52 which permits relative rotation in twoplanes but also the connection must permit of some adjustment in thelength of link 52 in order to compensate for the fact that crank 4Balways rotates horizontally about a vertical axis, while the crank 5| towhich the other end of link 52 is connected rotates during the initialportion of the closing operation vertically about a horizontal axis andat the end of the closing operation rotates about another horizontalaxis normal to its nrst axis of rotation.

Link 52 must also, therefore, have an automatically adjustable compositemotion to maintain appropriate driving connection between crank da andcrank 6|. Preferably, as shown, the adjustment is made by means ofleft-hand threaded screw 55 at the connection between ele- .ments 45 and52. This cooperates, as hereinafter pointed out, with the right-handthread of nut 255 to have an additive eiect to compensate for thenecessary differences in link length required as the elements 4D and 52move from an angular' position through a straight line position to anangular position on the other side of the straight line position.

As the crank l5 rotates initially from the closed position of Figure 5toward the released position of Figure 7, its initial angular movementcauses only a relatively very small translatory movement in alongitudinal direction of link 52.

After the crank llil has reached and even passes the position of Figure7 on its way to the full open position of Figure 6, the increasing anglewhich the crank makes with the link produces relatively greatertranslatory movement of the link 52.

At this time, therefore, the link 52 is drawn rapidly-to the left toopen the switch rapidly; but at the initial opening movement thetranslatory motion imparted to the link 52 is relatively very small (themajor motion imparted being the rotation about a longitudinal axis oflink 52) and the amount of compensation required in the connectionbetween crank fi@ and link 52 to permit an effective lengthening of thelink 52 is also relatively small.

Previously, this compensation was effected by using a pin and slotconnection between the crank and the link. This resulted in turn in thefact that the link as it approached the closed position of the contactsfell free of the pin of the crank and thus tended to close with anundesired hammer blow on a stop on the stationary contact. This alsorequired a denite stop on! the stationary contact to ensure that theblade and link would come to rest at a predetermined position.

The present invention provides for a clevis member 44 having the tines45, 46 in which are placed aligned openings 5l, 43. The clevis member 44fits over extension 4| of the crank 40 with the openings 41 and :i8thereof aligned with the opening 42 in extension 4|. An appropriate pine5 is passed through all of the openings 4l, 48, 4| and is locked inposition in any suitable manner.

The clevis member "l5 now is secured to the crank 4i! so that it mayrotate in a horizontal plane with respect thereto, while it may have atranslatory movement in the horizontal plane. The clevis member 44 ispreferably shaped to l5 have a rocking motionto prevent binding at thepin 43.

The opposite end of the clevis member constitutes a left-hand threadscrew 50 entering into threaded engagement with the similarly threadedtapped opening 5| at the left-hand end of link 52.

The screw threads 5| and 50 are so arranged that when the crank G ismoved from the position of Figures and 17 to the position of Figures 7and 16, resulting in rotation around a longitudinal axis oi the link 52and. crank 6|, the resultant relative rotation between the link 52 andthe clevis member 44 will cause a screwing out oi the end 50 of theclevis member 44 from the tapped opening 5| of the link. The pitch ofthe threads 50 and 5| are, therefore, such that this screwing out ofmember 50 from the tapped opening 5| will substantially equal the amountby which the link 52 must be extended during this rotational operationin order to remain engaged with the crank 6|. This operation is achievedby a left-hand thread on screw 50.

The pitch of the thread of screw 50 may beV adjusted to provide theequalizing factor above noted. This may, however, require a specialnon-standard pitch to obtain the in and out camming eiect required. Thescrew 50 is essentially a cam for this purpose. However, the right-handthread of nut 255 permits the blade assembly to 63-62-6l to move outfrom casting 'i0 when screw 50 moves out of opening 5| and vice versa,thereby having an additive eiect with screw 50 by moving the pivot 5'!of link 52. This additive eiect permits the required adjustment to takeplace without the use of special screw pitches. This is possibleespecially since the height of contact jaws S6 permits the contact to bemade without limitation to an exact area of contact but at variouspoints within the jaw area.

On release of the contact 65 from the stationary contact S6, the clevismember 44 including its threaded end 50 will now pull on the link 52,drawing it to the left and to the open position of Figures 6 and 15.

Similarly, when the contact member is moved from the position of Figure6 to the position of Figure 7, there will rst be a full translatingmovement, the threaded member permitting such rotation of link 52 withrespect to crank 40 to occur as will permit this translating movement totake place.

Thereafter when the crank moves from the position of Figures '7 and 16to the position of Figures 5 and 17, the threaded member 50 will bescrewed into the tapped opening 5| of link 52 as the relative rotationoccurs between crank 40 and link 52 to achieve the fully closedposition, and this entry of member 5e into opening 5i will, incooperation with the additive effect of nut 255, be substantiallysuiiicient to compensate for the necessary reduction in link length, andpermit the crank to move past cent r as above described.

V. The countcrbalancing structure In Figure 1, as well as in Figures 8,9, and 10, there is shown the novel counterbalancing mechanism forsupporting the contact arm in the open position.

Referring rst to Figures l, 9, and 11, the counterbalancing mechanism300 comprises the compression spring 30| in the cylindrical housing 302.The rear end of the cylindrical hous- 16 ing 302 is provided with anextension 303 (see also Figures 6 and 14) having an opening 304receiving the pin 305, which pin is carried in appropriate bearings`308, 301 in the opposite legs 16a and 1Gb of the base 13.

The front plate 3|0 of housing 302 is provided with a central opening3|| through which thepiston rod 3|2 passes. vPiston rod 3|2 extends backto the pressure plate 3|5 to which it is secured. The compression spring30| is compressed between thepressure plate 3 5 within the cylinder orhousing 302 and the front plate 3|0 of the housing 302.

The outer end of piston rod 3 I 2 is connected by pin 320 to therearwardly directed extension |60 of the hinge casting 13, the pin 320passing through the aligned openings 32 in extension |60 which is ofclevis formation and being held in place in any appropriate manner as bythe Cotter pins 323.

The rearwardly directed extension |60 of the casting 'I3 is preferably athree-pronged extension having the clevis |60, the second clevis |60aand the third clevis |601). Clevis |60 is substantially vertical andupwardly directed when the switch blade is closed and the switch is inthe upright position of Figure 9.

Clevis |60@ is substantially horizontal when the switch blade is closedand the switch is in the upright position of Figure 9. Clevis |60b issubstantially vertical and downwardly directed when the switch blade isclosed and the switch is in the horizontal or upright position of Figure9.

Clevisl is used when the switch is in the upright position of Figures 1,9, and 11, that is, the piston rod 2|2 is connected thereto. Clevis liiais used when the switch is mounted in the vertical position of Figure10, and clevis |601) is used when the switch is mounted in the invertedposition of Figure 8.

In the position of Figure 11, the 'clockwise moment of blade 63 abouthinge 'l2 is substantially zero; although spring 30| is slightlycompressed or pre-stressed, the moment of arm |60 about hinge 'l2 isalso substantially zero. As blade 63 moves clockwise, spring 30| iscompressed progressively as the moment of blade 63 increases and alsothe moment of arm |03 increases progressively.

Thus, the blade is effectively counterbalanced closely in proportion toits own moment through the medium of a changing lever arm and a changingspring compression.

The utilization of three arms or clevises |60, ISM, and |6019 permitsthis type of counterbalance to be achieved irrespective of the type ofmounting of the switch.

Where other special m'ountings at special angles are to becounterbalanced, a clevis or other arm may be provided at an angle where`the moment of the clevis arm is substantially zero when the moment ofthe blade is Zero and increases in proportion. Thus, if necessary, for

r varied mountings a disk clevis with many openings may be used.

By this means, therefore, the single counterbalancing spring 30| maywithout adjustment be utilized for each of the three positions which thedisconnect switch is to occupy.

As seen by a comparison of Figures 11 and 9, when the switch blade 63 isclosed spring 30| is compressed. When the switch blade is moved from theposition of Figures 1 and 9 to the position of Figure 11. the lifting ofthe switch blade 17 is aided by the compression of spring 30| whichextends during this opening movement.

The compression spring 30 is. preferably arranged so that itsubstantially counterbalances the weight of the switch blade 63 but doesnot exert any opening force thereon, the opening force being provided bythe operating elements hereinbefore described.

Thus, the mechanical means utilized in opening the switch may be verylight but, what is more important, the switch is counterbalanced forsubstantially its entire weight inthe open position and will notaccidentally fall into closed position.

Where the switch is to be opened from a horizontal position through anangle lessA than 90", then the force of the counterbalancing spring 30|is made sufficient to counterbalance the moment of the switch blade 63so that it is normally biased in open position and cannot accidentallyfall down to closed position.

For a horizontally upright mounted switch, the open condition as seen inFigure 11 places the counterbalancing spring on dead center but movesthe switch blade over its center so that its weight retains it in theopen position.

By the ruse of such a counterbalancing spring, therefore, it becomesunnecessary to move the switch blade to or beyond a vertical' positionto ensure that it will stay open, but the switch blade once having beenmoved tov open position, even though this open position is short of thevertical position, will be held open by the counterbalancing spring.

Where the switch is mounted in the inverted position of Figure 8, thesecurement of piston rod Sli to the clevis iiitb will, as shown inFigure-8, result in compression of spring 39| as the switch blade movesfrom the horizontal closed position shown downwardly toward an openposition.

Thus, the weight of the Switch blade 53 will again be counterbalanced,in this case the force of the spring 30| being less than the weight ormoment of the blade |53 about its pivot so that the blade will not bedriven closed inadvertently act as a counterbalance for the blade 63when it is open.

in each case, the spring 3m acts as a counterbalance reducing theeffective force or moment of the blade at the point where this effectiveforce or moment is greatest.

Thus, in the upright position of Figures 1, 9, and il, thecounterbalancing of the blade prevents the closing of the blade with ahammer blow on the stationary contact and assists the movement of theblade from horizontal to vertical.

in the inverted position of Figure 8, the counterbalancing of the` biadeprevents its falling free and uncontroiled to the open position andassists in moving it to ciosed position.

in the vertical `position of Figure l0, the counterbalancing of theblade also prevents its falling free and uncontrolled to yopen positionduring the opening movement.,

Thus, by the utilization of the, counterbaiance 18 of the presentinvention, full control of the blade ismaintained at all times.

Cylinder 302 may be oil filled, in which case back plate 3|5 must beappropriately perforated to permit free passage of oil through, thecylinder.

Also, where it is oil iilled the provision of 'appropriate sizedopenings in plate 3|5 will, where desired, provide a dashpot eiectpreventing, rapid movementof the blade in either direction. In thiscase, check. valves may be provided at the openings to permit a rapidmovement in a desired direction.

Preferably, however, cylinder 302 is simply a closed cylinder with nofilling of any kind and containing nothing but the compression springand itsassociated operating element.

In this case,l appropriate drain holes` 330, 330 may be providedadjacent the ends of the cylinder to permit any moisture condensedtherein. to drain off.

VI. The weather-proofing and corrosion` resistant protection for thecurrent carrying elements of the hinge and blade assembly Theweather-proofing and corrosion resistant construction of the contactlblade current carrying elements has already been described in connectionwith the description of these specic current carrying elements.

Essentially, there are two contact points or connections which must beweather-proof, that between the base 13 and the hinge casting and thatbetween the blade 63 and the hinge casting '10.

Hinge casting l0 rotates on the hinge bearing I2 and blade 63 rotateswithin sleeve |52 on an extension of the hinge casting '10.

As seen in Figure 13, the contact at the hinge 'l2 is between thethreads |12 of the opening |70 andthe threads |8| of the hinge pin |80'.

This contact is thus contained within the cylindrical housing formed bythe opening |10. One endv of this cylindrical housing is sealed by theintegral base The outer end of this cylindrical housing is sealed by thegasket in the annular recess |13 and disc |75, the gasket providing aweather-excluding seal. A corrosion resistant and inhibiting materialsuch as any grease, as for example, silicon grease, may be incluuded inthe housing further to protect the contact surfaces; and this materialwill not,` owing to the seal, leak or be contaminated during the life ofthe seal.

This construction thus provides a contact enclosing cavity containing arelatively large amount of corrosion resistant and inhibiting mediumwhich will serve to keep the contact surfaces from oxidizingy orcorroding-in other words, electrically clean. The small amount ofatmosphere present even with some possible breathing in the seal wouldhave negligible effect on the contact surfaces protected and bathed inthe Iinhibiting medium. The chamber for the contacts` providesrelatively very small space for the entry of any corroding atmosphereand correspondingly permits a small quantity of inhibitor to fill thespace only to protect the contacts.

Since the ipossible area of entry of corrosion is limited and is remotefrom the actual contact surfaces, the` surface tension of the inhibitorwill further prevent corrosion.

Also, since the volume of thefree space for possible ent-ry ofatmosphere isrelatively very small compared to the surface area. of thecon- 19 tacts, this by itself will have the effect of inhibitingcorrosion and will also permit a relatively very small amount ofcorrosion inhibitor to protect the contact surfaces fully.

Seal 20| at one end of sleeve B2, and the bead 262 in recess 250 of thesleeve act as weatherexcluding seals for the sleeve 62.

Consequently, a corrosion inhibiting film on and adjacent the contactsurfaces will not leak out and will not be subject to an undue amount ofcorroding atmosphere during the life of the switch.

Where desired, appropriate gasket material may also be placed either inthe recess 250 or in another annular recess outwardly spaced in sleeve62 from the recess 250; and may be introduced at the threaded portion201 to limit communication with the fully closed cavity of blade 63.

By this means, therefore, all of the movable contact elements which actas a substitute for the pigtails of the prior art are completelyweather-proofed and sealed.

VII. The construction and operation of the staticnary Contact member Thestationary contact 66 has already been substantially described inconnection with the operation of the blade 63 and its contact 65.

The stationary contact comprises a base 99 which is secured in anysuitable manner as by bolts |09 to the top of insulator 1I.

The base 99 extends to form the terminal block l0l. Spring fingers 92,93 are secured by bolts 9S to the sides of the base 99. Each of the "1^bers 99, 9| isv provided with an undercut ledge 459 at its outer side tofacilitate the securement of the contact members to the spring ngers 92.

The spring lingers 92 bias the contact members 90 toward each other, thestationary contact elements being, however, adjusted so that they willpermit free entry of the movable contact 65 when it is turned at asubstantial angle to the horizontal but being so spaced that they willbe spread apart by the rotation of the movable contact member 65 tohorizontal position, the spring members 92, 93 thereafter forcingcontact elements 90, 9| inwardly to exert appropriate contact pressureon the side of the movable contact 65.

The upwardly directed extension leila under blade 63 serves to provide asupport for the blade under an ice load particularly when the blade issubject to a downwardly deflecting force when twisting to open under anice load. Extension i09a thus serves to prevent deformation of blade 63.

As previously pointed out, the sleeve casting S2 to which the blade 63is secured rotates on the bearing 200 which is an extension of hingecasting 10.

Heretofore the axially rotatable section of the blade was mounted insidea sleeve of the base or .hinge casting. By mounting the casting 62 onthe outside of bearing 200, the point of engagement between sleeve 62and its bearing 200 is moved inwardly toward the center of rotationwhile the sleeve crank 6l is relatively further from the center ofrotation.

Where the disconnect switch has remained open or closed for a long time,the tendency is for corrosion owing to weathering conditions to effect abinding between the relatively rotatable portions of the switch blade.

This corroded seal must be broken in order to rotate vthe bladeproperly. Where the rotatable portion of the blade was mounted inside anextension of the hinge casting, the portion which tended to corrode wasthus relatively further from the center and the corroded or bound areahad a greater leverage requiring greater force to break it or overcomeit.

By mounting the sleeve casting 62 over an extension of the hinge casting10, this point where a corrosion seal may form is moved inwardly by atleast the thickness of the sleeve casting 62, while the end of sleevecrank 6l is thus relatively further from the center of rotation. Thisincreases the relative leverage or gear ratio available for breaking acorrosion crust in rotating the sleeve casting.

By this means, therefore, a novel disconnect switch is provided havingsealed weather and corrosion-proof contact elements between the elementsof the switch as a substitute for flexible connections, exposedconnections or both.

It will be clear that the hinge contact elements at 12 may be utilizedin connection with other types cf switch members and that the rotatablecontact element at 2l0 may be utilized in connection with other types ofswitch members. The elements may thus be used independently oi eachother. The combination creates a weatherproof switch. Each connection isthus suited not only for its mechanical function but also for theelectrical load to pass therethrough.

Where desired, also, opposite threads (right and left) may be used atthe hinge contact elements 12 to increase pressure at the hinge duringclosing of the switch.

Since the contact elements at 'I2 and 250 are continuously inengagement, these contacts or connectors are usable during opening as inaroing.

Since the contact elements at 12 are essentially formed by a surface ofrevolution (which happens, however, to be helical) they are essentiallya multiple set of circular line contacts.

All driving links may be insulated to ensure that the current willfollow the predetermined path.

in the foregoing the invention has been described in connection with apreferred illustrative embodiment. Since many variations andmodiiications thereof should now be obvious to those skilled in the art,it is preferred that the invention be limited not to the specificdisclosures herein contained but to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In switch gear havingr a frame and a movable contact arm, saidcontact arm being angularly movable with respect to said frame; acurrent carrying connection between said frame and said movable contactarm; said contact arm having angular movement and also having rotativemovement about its longitudinal axis; an enclosure for at least aportion of said current carrying connection; said enclosure beingsecured to said contact arm and being movable in all directions withsaid contact arms; a member pivotally mounted on said frame; said member21 having a threaded portion; said contact arm having a threaded. membercngageable withv said threaded portion for mounting said` contact arm onsaid pivotal member for rotation on its own axis with respect to saidpivotal' member.

2. In switch gear having a frame and a movable contact arm, said contactarm being angularly movable with respect to said frame; a currentcarrying connection between said frame and said movable contact arm;said contact arm having angular movement and also havingr rotativemovement about its longitudinal axis; an enclosure for at leastv aportion of said current carrying connection; said enclosure beingsecured to said contact arm and being movable in all directions withsaid contact arm; a member pivotally mounted on said frame; said memberhaving a threaded extension; said contact arm having a threaded memberengageable with said threaded extension for mounting said contact arm onsaid pivotal member for rotation on its own axis with respect to saidpivotal member, said threaded member also cooperating in securing saidenclosure on said contact arm.

3. In switch gear having a frame and a movable contact arm, said contactarm being angularly movable with respect tov said frame; a currentcarrying connection between said frame and said movable contact arm;said contact arm having angular movement and also having rotativemovement about its longitudinal axis; an enclosure. for at least aportion of said current carrying connection; said enclosure beingsecured to said contact arm and being movable in all directions withsaid contact arm; a member pivotally mounted on said frame; said memberhaving an extension; said contact arm comprising a hollow longitudinalunit, said extension being insertable. in one end of said contact arm;an element interiorly of said contact arm rotatably engageable with saidextension.

fi. In switch gear having a frame and a movable contact arm, saidcontact arm being angularly movable with respect to said frame; acurrent carrying connection between said frame and said. movable contactarm; said contact arm having angular movement. and also having rotativemovement about its longitudinal axis; an enclosure for at least aportion of said current carrying connection; said enclosure being.secured to said contact arm and being. movable in all directions withsaid. contact arm; a member pivotally mounted on said frame; said memberhaving an extension; said contact arm comprising a hollow longitudinalunit, said extension being insertable in one endk of said contact arm;an element interiorly of said contact. arm rotatably engageable withsaid extension, saidfelement also cooperating in securing said exteriorenclosure on said contact arm.

5. In switch gear having a frame and a movable contact arm, said contactarm being angularly movable with respect to saidv frame;` a currentcarrying connection between saidframe and said movable. contactarm; saidcontact arm havling angular movement and also having rotative movementaboutu its longitudinal axis; an nclosure for at least ay portion ofsaid current carrying connection; said. enclosure being secured to saidcontact arm and being movable in all directions; with said contact arm;a member pivotally mounted on saidframe; said mernber having-'janextension;- said contact arm comprising a hollow` longitudinal unit,said extensionioeille insertable in one; end of said contact arm;

an element interiorly of said contact arm rotatably engageable with saidextension; said current carrying connection including a contact elementon said extension anda contact element on said contact arm; said contactelements being biased into engagement, and said enclosure encasing saidcontact elements.

6. In switch gear having a frame unit and an angular-ly movable contactarmv assembly unit; a rotatable connection between said frame and saidcontact arm assembly; said rotatable connection including a currentcarrying contact connection and comprising a threaded extension on oneof said units; a recess in the other unit having a threaded surfacereceiving said threaded extension; the surface to surface engagement ofannular portions of said threads forming the said current carryingconnection.

'7. In switch gear having a frame unit and an angularly movable contactarm assembly unit; a rotatable connection between said frame and saidContact arm assembly; said rotatable connection including a currentcarrying Contact connection and comprising a threaded extension on oneof said units; a recess in the other unit having a threaded surfacereceiving said threaded extension; the surface to surface engagement ofannular portions of said threads forming the said current carryingconnection, and the interengagement of said extension in said recessforming said rotatable connection.

8. In switch gear having a frame unit and an angularly movable contactarm assembly unit; a rotatable connection between said frame and saidcontact arm assembly; said rotatable connection including a currentcarrying contact connection and comprising a threaded extension on oneof said units; a recess in the other unit having a threaded surfacereceiving said threaded extension; means biasing said extension in onedirection in said recess and eilecting a close engagement between thesurfaces of said threads one one side of each thread; the surface tosurface engagement of annular portions of said threads forming the saidcurrent carrying connection.

9. In switch gear having a frame unit and an angularly movable contactarm assembly unit; rotatable connection between said frame and saidcontact arm assembly; said rotatable connection including a currentcarrying contact connection and comprising a threaded extension on oneof said units; a recess in the other unit having a threaded surfacereceiving said threaded extension; means in said recess biasing saidextension in one direction in said recess and eecting a close engagementbetween the surfaces of said threads on one side of each thread; thesurface to surface engagement of annular portions of said threadsforming the said current carrying connection.

lo. In switch gear having a frame unit and an angularly movable contactarm assembly unit; a rotatable connection between said frame and said.contact arm assembly; said rotatable connection including a currentcarrying contact connection and comprising ay threaded extension on oneof said units; a recess in the other unit having a threaded surfacereceiving said threaded extension; a compression spring in said recessbiasing said extension in one direction in recess and eiiecting a closeengagement between the surfaces of said threadson one side oi eachthread; the surface to. surface engagement of 23 annular portions ofsaid threads forming the said current carrying connection.

ll. In switch gear having a frame unit and an angularly movable contactarm assembly unit; a rotatable connection between said frame and saidcontact arm assembly; said rotatable connection including a currentcarrying contact connection and comprising a threaded extension on oneof said units; a recess in the other unit having a threaded surfacereceiving said threaded extension; the surface to surface engagement ofannular portions of said threads forming the said current carryingconnection; means sealing said engaged annular surfaces of said threadswithin said recess.

l2. In switch gear having a frame unit and an angularly movable contactarm assembly unit; a rotatable connection between said frame and saidcontact arm assembly; said rotatable connection including a currentcarrying contact connection and comprising a threaded extension on oneof said units; a recess in the other unit having a threaded surfacereceiving said threaded extension; the surface to surface engagement ofannular portions of said threads forming the said current carryingconnection; the end of said recess opposite that which receives thethreaded extension being closed; and a sealing member between the otherend of the recess and the extension; said current carrying threads beingenclosed between said closed end and said sealing member.

13. In switch gear having a frame, a hinge member pivotally mounted atone end on the frame and a switch blade rotatably mounted at at theother end of the hinge member for rotation about its own longitudinalconnection; an operating crank extending substantially parallel to theframe and rotatable in a plane substantially normal to the plane ofpivotal movement of the hinge member; a blade crank connected -1 to theswitch blade and rotatable therewith; link connected between saidoperating crank and said blade crank; rotation of said operating crankin one direction iirst moving said blade crank, said hinge member, andsaid blade angumember; a swivel connection between said link and saidoperating crank; said swivel connection including a length compensatingmember automatically varying the length of the link in accordance withthe relative angular position of the operating crank and the link.

lei. In switch gear having a frame, a hinge member pivotally mounted atone end of the frame and a switch blade rotatably mounted at the otherend of the hinge member for rotation about its own longitudinalconnection; an operating crank extending substantially parallel -to the-frame and rotatable in a plane substantially normal to the plane ofpivotal movement of the hinge member; a blade crank connected to theswitch blade and rotatable therewith; a link connected between saidoperating crank and said blade crank; rotation of said operating crankin one direction first moving said blade crank, said hinge member, andsaidblade angularly about the pivotal mounting of the hinge member andthereafter rotating said blade and blade crank about the longitudinalaxis of the switch blade; rotation of said operating crank in theopposite direction first rotating said blade and blade crank about thelongitudinal axis of the switch blade and then moving said blade crank,said hinge member and said blade angularly about the pivotal mounting ofthe hinge member; a swivel connection between said link and saidoperating crank; said swivel connection including a screw carried by oneof said members longitudinally movable in a threaded opening carried bythe other of said members and movable into and out of said threadedopening in accordance with the relative angular position of theoperating crank and the link. v

l5. In switch gear having a frame, a hinge member pivotallymounted atone end on the frame and a switch blade rotatably mounted at the otherend of the hinge member for rotation about its own longitudinalconnection; an operating crank extending substantially parallel to theframe and rotatable in a plane substantially normal to the plane ofpivotal movement of the hinge member; a blade crank connected to theswitch blade and rotatable therewith; a link connected between saidoperating crank and said blade crank; rotation of said operating crankin one direction rst moving said blade crank, said hinge member, andsaid blade angularly about the pivotal mounting of the hinge member andvthereafter rotating said blade and blade crank about the longitudinalaxisof the switch blade; rotation of said operating crank in theopposite direction first rotating said blade and blade crank about thelongitudinal axis of the switch blade and then moving said blade crank,said hinge member and said blade angularly about the pivotal mounting ofthe hinge member; a swivel connection 'between said link and saidoperating crank; said swivel connection including a length compensatingmember automatically varying the length of the link in accordance withthe relative'angular position of the operating crank and the link andmaintaining a direct continuous connection between said crank and linkat all positions thereof, and an additional additive length compensatingconnection for the opposite end of -said link.

16. In switch gear having a frame, a hinge member pivotally mounted atone end on the frame and a switch blade rotatably mounted at the otherend of the hinge member for rotation about its own longitudinalconnection; an operating crank extending substantially parallel to theframe and rotatable in a plane substantially normal to the plane ofpivotal movement of the hinge member; a blade crank connected to theswitch blade and rotatable therewith; a link connected between vsaidoperating crank and said blade crank; rotation of said operating crankin one directionl rst moving said blade crank; said hinge member, andsaid blade angularlyabout the pivotal mounting of the hinge member andthereafter rotating said blade and blade crank about the longitudinalaxis of the switch blade; rotation of said operating crank in theopposite direction first rotating said blade and blade crank about thelongitudinal axis of the switch blade and then moving said blade crank,said hingemember and said blade angularly about the pivotal mountingvofthe hinge member; a swivel connection between said link andsaidoperating crank-f said swivel 'connection including a lengthcompensating member 25 automati-cally varying the length of the link inaccordance with the relative arigiilarv position of the operating crankand the link and maintaining a direct continuous connection between saidcrank and link at all positions thereof` comprising a threadedconnection between `said blade and said hinge member.

17. In a switch gear having a frame, a hinge member pivotally `mountedat one ,end of the frame and a switch blade rotatably mounted at theother end of the hinge member for rotation about its own longitudinalconnection; an operating crank extending substantially parallel to theframe and rotatable in a plane substantially normal to the plane ofpivotal movement of the hinge member; a blade crank connected to theswitch blade and rotatable therewith; al link vconnected between saidoperating crank and said blade; rotation of said operating crank in onedirection rst moving said blade crank, said hinge member, and said bladeangularly about the pivotal mounting of the hinge member and thereafterrotating said blade and bladecrank about the longitudinal axis of theswitch blade; rotation of said operating crank in theopposite directionfirst rotating said blade and blade crank about the longitudinal axis ofthe switch blade and then moving said blade crank, said hinge member andsaid blade angularly about the pivotal mounting of the hinge member; aswivel connection between said link and said operating crank; saidswivel connection including a screw carried by one of said membersvlongituinally movable in a threaded opening carried by the other ofsaid members and movable into and out of said threaded opening inaccordance `with the relative angular position ofthe operating crank andthe link, and an additional additive length compensating connection forthe opposite end of said link comprising a threaded connection betweensaid blade and said hinge member.

18. In switch gear having a frame, a hinge member pivotally mounted atone' end on the frame and a switch blade rotata'blyfmountedat the otherend of the hinge member for rotation about itsownlongitudinal'connection; an operating crank extending'subs.tantiallyr parallel to therframe and rotatablein a `planesubstantially normal to the plane of pivotal move'- ment of the hingemember; a blade crank connested to the switchblade and rotatabletherewith; a link connected between said .operating crank and said bladecrank; rotation of` said operating crank in one direction lrst movingsaid blade crank, said hingemembehanol 4said blade angularly about thepivotal mounting of the hinge member and thereafterrotlating said bladeand blade crank aboutthe longitudinal axisI of the switchblade;.rotation of `said operating crank in the opposite directionfirstrotating said blade and blade crank about the .longitudinal .axisof the switch blade and then moving ksaid blade crank; said hinge memberand said blade" anA gularly about the pivotal mounting of the hingemember; a drive shaft for said operating crank,

said shaft extending substantially normalto'the crank and frame; saidcrank comprising a subY stantially one'piece L-shaped member secured tothe end of the drive shaft.

19. In switch gear havingfa frame and a`.con tact arm assembly pivotallymounted` thereon;-

said contact arm assembly comprisinga switch blade extending on one sideofi theV pivotal mounting and a. connectinaarmextendineicn'tbe 9ppositeside of said pivotal mounting; a counter- 26 balancing member connectedat one end thereof to the'frame and at the opposite end thereof to theconnecting arm, and counterbalancing said contact arm assembly for oneplane of mounting of said switch gear; an additional connecting arm atan angle to the rst connecting arm; said counterbalancing member beingconnectable selectively to said additional connecting arm forcounterbal'ancing said contact arm assembly for another plane ofmounting of said switch gear.

20. In switch gear having a frame and a contact arm assembly pivotally7mounted thereon; said contact arm assembly comprising a switch bladeextending on one side of the pivotal mounting and a connecting armextending on the opposite side of said pivotal mounting; acounterbalancing member connected at one end thereof to the frame and atthe opposite end thereof to the connecting arm, and counterbalancingsaid contact arm assembly for one plane of mounting of said switch gear;a pair of additional connecting arms each at o to the first connectingarm; said counterbalancing member being connectable selectively toeither of said additional arms for counterbalancing said contact armassembly for other planes of mounting of said switch gear.

2l. In switch gear having a line terminal and a movable contact arm,said contact arm being angularly movable with respect to said lineterminal; a current carrying connection between said line terminal andsaid movable contact arm; said contact varm having angular movement andalso having rotative movement about its longitudinal axis; an enclosurefor at least a portion of said current carrying connection; saidenclosure `being secured to said contact arm and being movable in alldirections with said contact arm; a member pivotally mounted on saidline terminal; said member having a threaded portion; said contactmember engageable with said threaded portion for mounting said contactarm on said pivotal member for rotation on its own axis with respect tosaid pivotal member.

22. In switch gear having a line terminal and a movable contact arm,said contact arm being angularly movable with respect to said lineterminal; a current carrying connection between said line terminali andsaid movable Contact arm; saidv contact arm having angular movement andalso having rotative movement about its longi-` tudinal axis; anenclosure for at least a portion of said current carrying connection;said enclosure being secured to said contact arm and being movable inall directions with said contact arm; a member pivotallymounted on saidline terminal; said member having an extension; said contact armvcomprising a hollow longitudinal unit, said extensionbeing insertableinonel end of said contactv arm; an element interiorly oi said contact armrotatably engageable with vsaid extension; said current carryingconnection including a contact element on said extension and a contactelementen said contact arm; said contact elements being biased-intoengagement and saidl enclosure encasingA` said contact elements.

23. In switch gear having a linev terminal unit and an angularly movablecontact arm assembly unit; a rotatable connection between said lineterminal and said contact arm assembly; said rotatable connectionincluding a current carrying contact connection and comprising athreaded extension onl one of saidunits; a recess in the otherunit'havinga threaded suriacereceiving said threaded extension; thesurface to surface'

